Devices to apply tension in a cable, chain or rope

ABSTRACT

The distal ends of the tines of an elongated clevis straddling a wheel journaled in a peripheral ring, are pivotally linked to the wheel on an eccentric axis pin extending therethrough. A plate in front of one tine, secured to the wheel on said pin, and by another pin, has an elongated handle extending therefrom. Said plate carries a spring latch. The bight of the clevis and a radial lug extending from said ring, each have a releasable attachment means for interposing the device in a spanned cable, chain or rope. When the handle is moved to turn the wheel a partial rotation in one direction, the device will contract, the clevis will be stopped at a position a bit past dead center, and said tine will cam the latch into a position to lock the clevis. To bring the device to extended condition after such immobilization, the latch is pulled by hand to clear the said tine, and the handle is turned in the opposite direction.

United States Patent [72] inventor Frank Zumbo I938 E. llt St, Brooklyn, New York, N.Y. 11223 [2| 1 Appl. No. 778,698

[22] Filed Nov. 25, 1968 {45] Patented July 13,197]

[54] DEVICES TO APPLY TENSION IN A CABLE,

Primary Examiner- Robert C. Riordon Assistant Examiner- David R. Melton Auorney-M. D. Nissenbaum ABSTRACT: The distal ends of the tines of an elongated clevis straddling a wheel joumaled in a peripheral ring, are pivotally linked to the wheel on an eccentric axis pin extending therethrough. A plate in front of one tine, secured to the wheel on said pin, and by another pin, has an elongated handle extending therefrom. Said plate carries a spring latch. The bight of the clevis and a radial lug extending from said ring, each have a releasable attachment means for interposing the device in a spanned cable, chain or rope. When the handle is moved to turn the wheel a partial rotation in one direction, the device will contract, the clevis will be stopped at a position a bit past dead center, and said tine will cam the latch into a position to lock the clevis. To bring the device to extended condition after such immobilization, the latch is pulled by hand to clear the said tine, and the handle is turned in the opposite direction.

PATENTED JUL 1 3 19m lNviiNl'rm, Frank ZumbO,

ATTORNEY.

DEVICES TO APPLY TENSION IN A CABLE, (II-IAIN OR ROPE The present invention relates to, and its principal object is to provide a novel and improved device to apply tension to a chain, cable or rope, by a manual part turn of a handle whereby the device assumes locked contracted condition, which is undone with ease when desired, so its return to extended condition is accomplished by a manually controlled movement, subject to no sudden return force or whip" to harass or injure the laborer.

Another object thereof is to provide novel and improved tensioning devices of the character described, to serve as quick lashes and tiedown means for releasably securing containers, automobiles, cases of merchandise or other masses, or crates of equipment and the like, to a deck, pier or the floor on which they rest.

A further object of this invention is to provide novel and improved tensioning devices ofthe kind set forth, which are simple in construction, reasonable in cost, easy to use, and efficient in carrying out the purposes for which they are designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosure proceeds.

For one practice of this invention, the tensioning device may be of the following construction, in which an eccentric pin through a wheel which is journaled for rotation in a peripheral ring, is the pivotal connection for the distal ends of the tines of an elongated clevis straddling the wheel and ring assembly. In front of one tine, there is a plate member secured to said pin. A second pin spanning the space between said plate and wheel, is fixed to both of them. When the clevis is across the center of the wheel, a position it assumes upon giving the wheel a partial turn by manually moving a handle extending from said plate member, said one tine is stopped by that portion of said second pin which is across said space, at a position a bit beyond dead center, and said tine is locked by a spring-biased latch carried on said plate; said tine acting as a cam to operate the latch to lock said tine. Of course, any action on said tine, is action taken on the clevis. The bight of the clevis and a radial lug extending from the ring, each have a releasable attachment means for interposing the device in a spanned system including a cable, chain or rope which becomes tensed at the immobilizes position of the clevis, at which time the device is in contracted condition. To bring the device to extended condition, the latch is pulled by hand to clear said tine, while the handle is turned a partial revolution in the opposite direction.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

FIG. I shows a front elevation of a preferred tensioning device construction embodying the teachings of this invention. The device is shown in extended condition, ready to be associated with a cable or the like which is anchored at one end and needs to be tensed.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the device, shown attached at one end of a cable in a spanned assembly therewith; the other end of the cable and its anchorage, being not shown in this view. The device is here shown in contracted condition, applying tension in the cable.

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIGv 2, omitting the hook, and otherwise slightly modified.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ring member.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged section taken at line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the plate member and the handle it provides to turn the wheel.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view ofthe clevis member.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a case of merchandise tied down to a floor by lashing devices which employ tensioners taught herein.

In the drawing, the numeral 15 designates generally a preferred embodiment of a tensioning device, comprising a wheel structure indicated generally by the numeral 16, which is journaled for rotation within a peripheral ring I7, such unit assembly being straddled by an elongated clevis 18, the distal ends of whose tines I9, 19' are pivotally mounted on an eccentric pin 20 extending fixed through the ring structure 16. The tine I7 is between said wheel structure and a plate 2|. The plate is secured on said pin 20, and by another pin 22 therethrough, which spans the space between said plate and wheel and extends fixed into the wheel. The exposed portion of said pin 22 which is between said plate and wheel, is indicated by the numeral 22. The hole 23 in the plate, is for mounting the casing 24 ofa latch 25 which is spring-biased to enter the space between said plate and wheel. Said plate presents an elongated handle 26 extending from an edge thereof. Said handle when moved, turns the wheel. The bight of the clevis 18, is provided with a notch 27, to serve as a releasable attachment means for a chain, cable or the like. The wheels outer ring 17 in which it is journaled, is provided with an outward radial lug 28, with a bore 29, to support releasable engagement means, as for instance the strap linkage 30, which includes the terminal hook 31. One manner of mounting the wheel, is to have the screwed-on face discs 32 which fit into shallow counterbores as 33 in the ring 17.

It is to be noted that when the device 15 is in its fully extended condition as is shown in FIG. I, the center of the wheel 16 is intermediate the eccentric pin 20 and the bolt 29' which is through the rings lug 2B; the axes of said bolt, wheel and pin, being coplanar. But when the device is in fully contracted condition, the eccentric pin 20 is intermediate the center of the wheel and said bolt, and the axes thereof would be coplanar, established as a dead center condition. In the present device, in order that the device shall remain contracted, the wheel is turned from its position in FIG. I, a bit further than a half turn for the axis of the eccentric pin 20 to be a slight distance D beyond dead center, as shown in FIG. 2. The position of the stop pin 22 on the wheel 16 is such, that in the condition illustrated in FIG. 2, the exposed portion 22 thereof, sets in the notch 34 in the side edge of the tine 19 which intercepts it; such notch being required in the construction shown, in order to attain said beyond dead center condition. The inclusion of the spring latch 25, which is desirable but not mandatory, is to accomplish immobilizing the device in its working condition shown in FIG. 2, by locking the clevis 18 on the wheel I6, when the pin 22 is entered in said notch 34. Such locking action occurs automatically, because during the movement of the handle 26 in a clockwise direction so the extended condition of FIG. I is changed to the contracted condition of FIG. 2, the inclined surface 35 of the latch 25, will meet the edge of the tine which is notched, which edge will act as a cam to shift the latch into its casing 24, and ride over said tine I9, whereupon entrance of the stop pin 22 in the notch 34, said latch will have reached the other side edge of said tine, and being free thereof, will project outwardly from its casing, and the flat edge 35 of the latch will be against such other edge of said tine, thus the clevis will be immobilized and the contracted condition of the device 15 maintained. The lower part of the latch which presents the slant 35 and the straight flat 35', may be of square cross section, slidably fitted in a square hole 36 in the base of the casing 24, or other suitable means provided so it is held from turning and is permitted only a sliding movement. Of course, the casing 24 is properly positioned on the plate 21, so the latch 25 shall function as mentioned, and the position of the stop pin 22 on the wheel 16, is such that it will not interfere with the movement of the clevis 18.

To use the device 15 to apply tension, for instance, in a cable 38 which is anchored at one end, its other end which is swaged to provide a head 39, is entered into the notch 27 in the bight of the clevis 18 as shown in FIG. 2, and spacers 40 are added as shown if necessary as is well known in lash device use when the assembly would be too loose. Such attachment is made to the device when its condition is extended as in FIG. I, and the hook 31 is engaged in a fixed eye 4]. Then the handle 26 is turned clockwise so the device assumes contracted condition as shown in FIG. 2, at which time the stop pin 22 will have entered the notch 34. During such movement of the handle, the slant surface 35 of the latch 25, is intercepted by that side edge of the tine 19 which has such notch 34, and caused to withdraw into its casing 24, and ride over said tine l9, so at the end of handle travel, said latch will project out of its casing, and its straight face 35 will be adjacent the other side edge of said tine, thus locking the tine to the wheel 16. The cable is in tensed condition, for it has been stretched a length equal to the throw of the eccentric pin 20. lnstead of the swaged end, the cable may be engaged at an in termediate region which need be provided with a protube rance thereat to engage the clevis by being entered in said notch 27, which is believed readily understood without the need of further illustration. If the item to be tensed is a chain, any intermediate link thereof can be anchored in the notch 27, to attach the chain to the device 15, where the length of a link: s slightly more than the thickness of the bight of the clevis 18; such link being positioned that its general plane is parailel to the tines of the clevis, so that its adjacent links whose common plane would be along the bight, would be at the opposite walls of the bight respectively. if the item to be tensed is a rope, it is knotted where required, and the knot is engaged in the manner of the swaged head 39. It is believed that the foregoing description of the manner of attachment of a chain or rope to the clevis, is sufficient so that same is readily understandable without the need for further illustration. In FIG. 8, a case 43 on a floor 44, is shown tied down by two quick lashes, each comprised ofa device 15, tensing a chain 45, having a hook 45 at its upper end, which engages the case in a hole provided to receive said hook; the hook 3] of each device 15, being anchored to an eye 46 fixed on the floor.

To loosen or remove the device 15, meaning to restore it to extended condition as shown in FIG. 1, the latch is pulled by its handle 47, and so held so its engaging end clears the tine 19, while the handle 26 is turned counterclockwise The extent of handle movement is a bit in excess of a half turn, either to contract the device 15 from its condition of FIG. I to that of FIG. 2, or to expand it from its condition of FIG. 2 to that of FIG. I. The width ofthe tine 19 is chosen so that when the stop pin 22 contacts it, the system shall be in its past dead center condition, but iftoo wide, then a notch as 34 need be provided of proper depth to attain such locking condition. It is evident that the tine 19' may be omitted, so instead of a clevis, such member which is brought from one side of wheel center to the other by the eccentric pin 20, during wheel movement, may be a bar, one end of which is pivotally connected to said eccentric pin, and its other end is provided with a means for releasably attaching a cable end, which may be similar to that included in the clevis form.

These devices may be marketed in the form shown in HQ. 3, provided with the links and the companion attachment bolt and nut 30', to mount various items supplied so the the user may have the choice to mount on said bolt, either the hook 3!, a chain, or for instance a comparatively small clevis constructed like 18, so the device may be interposed in an intcrmediate section of a sectional cable or chain and the like, or for connecting the ends of a cable serving as a band confining a mass. All of the foregoing adaptations are believed understandable without the need of further illustration.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It is therefore intended and desired that the embodiments shown and described herein shall be deemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall cover all parentable novelty herein set fourth; reference being bad to the following claims rather than to the specific showing and description herein, to indicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

l. In a tensioning device of the character described, a wheel-mounting member, a wheel carried on said member for axial rotation, an eccentrically located pin extending from said wheel, an elongated bar along a face of the wheel, carried at one end by said eccentric pin whereby the bar is pivotally movable about the axis of said pin, anchorage means on the other end of said bar, anchorage means on the mounting member, a handle carried by the wheel for turning the wheel in relation to the mounting member; the axis of the wheel being intermediate the eccentric pin and the anchorage means on the mounting member, means on the wheel to stop the bar after the wheel has been turned a predetermined part of a revolution in one direction; said stop means being in position affording no interference to at least turn the wheel in said one direction to a position whereat the eccentric pin is intermediate the axis of the wheel and the anchorage means on the mounting member, and a movable latch carried by the wheel, adapted to to be shifted upon said stopping of the bar, to hold said bar against movement on the eccentric pin.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the wheel-mounting member is a ring peripherally around the wheel.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the bar is a tine of a clevis; said clevis straddling the ring and wheel, said eccentric pin extending through the wheel; the end of the other tine being carried by said eccentric pin.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein the anchorage means on the clevis is afforded by a notch in a side edge of the bight ofthe clevis.

5. A device as defined in claim 3, including a lug extending radially from the ring; the anchorage means associated with the ring, being on said lug.

6. A device as defined in claim I, wherein the mentioned part ofa revolution is slightly more than a hat! tut n 7. A device as defined in claim I, wherein each anchorage means affords releasable attachment thereto.

8. In a tensioning device of the char wheel-mounting member, a wheel carried axial rotation, an eccentrically located pin t Mending from said wheel, an elongated bar along a face of the wheel, carried at one end by said eccentric pin whereby the bar is pivotally movable about the axis of said pin, anchorage m ans on the other end of said bar, anchorage means on the mounting member, a plate; said bar being intermediate said wheel and plate; said wheel and plate being in spaced rtlation at the side edges of the bar, means securing the plate t the wheel, a handle extending from the plate for turning the wheel in relation to the mounting member; the axis of the wheel being intermediate the eccentric pin and the anchorage means on the mounting member, means on the wheel to stop the bar after the wheel has been turned a predetermmeu part of a revolution in one direction; said stop means being in position affording no interference to at least turn the wheel in said one direction to a position whereat the eccentric pin is intermediate the axis of the wheel and the anchorage means on the mounting member, a latch carried on the plate, spring biased so it is urged to project in part into the space between the plate and wheel, and means for pulling the latch out of said space; said stop means contacting one side edge of the bar when it intercepts said bar, and said spring latch being adapted to simultaneously contact and hold said bar against movement on the eccentric pin.

9. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said contact of the latch is with the second side edge of said bar when the stop means contacts the first side edge of said bar.

it). A device as defined in claim 9, wherein the plate securing means is a pin extending in said space and constitutes the stop means.

11. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein the outer surface of the projecting latch part which contact the second side edge of the bar, is substantially parallel to said side edge in the direction across said side edge; said latch part having a second outer surface in acute angular relation with its said first outer surface; said latch being so positioned on the plate that upon the bar out of said space and onto the bar; the latch being free to enter said space when it reaches the other side edge of said bar. 

1. In a tensioning device of the character described, a wheelmounting member, a wheel carried on said member for axial rotation, an eccentrically located pin extending from said wheel, an elongated bar along a face of the wheel, carried at one end by said eccentric pin whereby the bar is pivotally movable about the axis of said pin, anchorage means on the other end of said bar, anchorage means on the mounting member, a handle carried by the wheel for turning the wheel in relation to the mounting member; the axis of the wheel being intermediate the eccentric pin and the anchorage means on the mounting member, means on the wheel to stop the bar after the wheel has been turned a predetermined part of a revolution in one direction; said stop means being in position affording no interference to at least turn the wheel in said one direction to a position whereat the eccentric pin is intermediate the axis of the wheel and the anchorage means on the mounting member, and a movable latch carried by the wheel, adapted to to be shifted upon said stopping of the bar, to hold said bar against movement on the eccentric pin.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the wheel-mounting member is a ring peripherally around the wheel.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the bar is a tine of a clevis; said clevis straddling the ring and wheel; said eccentric pin extending through the wheel; the end of the other tine being carried by said eccentric pin.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein the anchorage means on the clevis is afforded by a notch in a side edge of the bight of the clevis.
 5. A device as defined in claim 3, including a lug extending radially from the ring; the anchorage means associated with the ring, being on said lug.
 6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the mentioned part of a revolution is slightly more than a half turn.
 7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein each anchorage means affords releasable attachment thereto.
 8. In a tensioning device of the character described, a wheel-mounting member, a wheel carried on said member for axial rotation, an eccentrically located pin extending from said wheel, an elongated bar along a face of the wheel, carried at one end by said eccentric pin whereby the bar is pivotally movable about the axis of said pin, anchorage means on the other end of said bar, anchorage means on the mounting member, a plate; said bar being intermediate said wheel and plate; said wheel and plate being in spaced relation at the side edges of the bar, means securing the plate to the wheel, a handle extending from the plate for turning the wheel in relation to the mounting member; the axis of the wheel being intermediate the eccentric pin and the anchorage means on the mounting member, means on the wheel to stop the bar after the wheel has been turned a predetermined part of a revolution in one direction; said stop means being in position affording no interference to at least turn the wheel in said one direction to a position whereat the eccentric pin is intermediate the axis of the wheel and the anchorage means on the mounting member, a latch carried on the plate, spring-biased so it is urged to project in part into the space between the plate and wheel, and means for pulling the latch out of said space; said stop means contacting one side edge of the bar when it intercepts said bar, and said spring latch being adapted to simultaneously contact and hold said bar against movement on the eccentric pin.
 9. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said contact of the latch is with the second side edge of said bar when the stop means contacts the first side edge of said bar.
 10. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein the plate securing means is a pin extending in said space and constitutes the stop means.
 11. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein the outer surface of the projecting latch part which contact the second side edge of the bar, is substantially parallel to said side edge in the direction across said side edge; said latch part having a second outer surface in acute angular relation with its said first outer surface; said latch being so positioned on the plate that upon turning the wheel in said direction, said second surface will be the first portion of the latch to contact the bar on the side edge of the bar which is later intercepted by the stop means, and upon contacting said side edge, the latch will be cammed by the bar out of said space and onto the bar; the latch being free to enter said space when it reaches the other side edge of said bar. 